The Dow Jones Industrial Average is ahead 20 points. Gainers outnumber losers by about three-to-two on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Nasdaq Composite Index is up five points and the Standard-and-Poor's 500 Stock Index has added one point.

Wall Street's early advance adds to an impressive rally yesterday that left the Nasdaq composite at its highest level in nearly a year.

The upward momentum has carried across most markets in Asia and Europe. In addition, the dollar has regained a bit of strength against the euro. The greenback is up against other key currencies as well.

A new government report shows more trouble for manufacturing. The Commerce Department says orders for durable goods fell two-point-four percent in April, the biggest decline in seven months.

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